OOTD...

I've been wearing white jeans and white linen pants these past few weeks and mixing them with denim shirts, chambray tops and here with a thrifted denim jean jacket.

NYDJ white jeans

Marks Work Warehouse white top

Guess silver sneakers

No Name denim jacket

(the tag was cut out)

I am at Marshall's looking for a new top to wear with my dressy white UP pants.

You can see my messy hair...

it's growing 

but not as fast as I would like it to!

I have to persevere and be patient until the short layers are longer.

I found a top and some birthday gifts for our darling granddaughter Isla 

who is turning 8 in June!

Where does the time go?

She is growing up just so fast!

The top is striped in blue and white

the silhouette is flattering as it camouflages some of my wobbly bits!

The garden is keeping me quite busy these days...

watering all the potted plants

 dead heading the roses

weeding.

I just get "caught up" in one section and then I have to start all over again!

I love being able to pop outside and pick our roses 

 bring them inside and arrange a bouquet

or as in this case give them to a friend

who hosted a celebration of life for a former colleague 

who died unexpectedly

at the age of 70.

Which reminds us all that we need to live each day to the fullest.

Carpe Diem ~ seize the day!

We paid tribute to our dear friend and colleague Ray 

in a beautiful garden 

where we used to have our year end staff parties.

His wife attended and there were lots of hugs, tears, a toast and many stories were told.

She was very fragile 

but was so glad that she was there 

as she realized how much he meant to all of us 

 we were able to tell her about the kind things that he did for so many 

 students and the staff.

Here are two David Austin Graham Thomas roses.

They are heavily scented large sunny yellow blooms.

If you grow many roses as I do you'll come to realize

That they require attention and TLC

like offspring

if they are to thrive and grow.

I only choose varieties that are fragrant, hardy and are repeat bloomers.

Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

Hope your weekend has some fun packed into it.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Update on the weight loss journey and a reunion.

It has been several weeks since I started a health and wellness journal.
Several readers have asked me to elaborate on what I write in it.

The daily habit helps me try and stay accountable
it acts as a motivator...

It is a convenient way to document my thoughts,
to track my Weight Watcher Points and to record my weight.

Its been a busy few days

so writing has been brief and done just before bedtime. 

I like to set the mood before writing by lighting a scented candle

brew a pot of decaf tea

(caffeine later in the day does not contribute to my sleep)

I will sit in the quiet and reflect upon my day.

Here is an excerpt from the journal when I started...

A few snippets

my weight

the meals.

I often add any food temptations

 how I coped or did not cope with them.

The exercise that I did that day.

Thoughts of gratitude, things that made me smile, quotes that inspire...

the journal is very personal and I am free to write a rant if I so desire.

When I write first thing in the morning 

I often write my goals for that particular day.

If I start my day with a positive theme it continues throughout the day.

It also helps me to exercise if I put my fitness gear on right after my shower.

This is a signal for me to get that out of the way before commencing with the rest of my day.

Exercise is on the agenda and I am not going to change into my dressy clothes

until I go for my walk or do my kettle bell workout.

Fruit makes up the bulk of my snacks and is the basis for any dessert.

I track my WW points with the handy counter.

If you are keen to change or influence your health and wellness

I firmly believe that a journal can help.

The support that you get at WW meetings is incredibly helpful 

if you are struggling with your weight I would not hesitate to recommend WW.

My weight is not moving very much and I admit that I am feeling frustrated...

I may be signing up for WW again but plan to up my exercise first.

I try not to obsess about a few extra pounds

 but I do feel much better, 

have more energy 

and like how my clothes fit when I am lighter.

A reader emailed me about a gym in Oak Bay that offers classes for 55 and older 

they have exercise machines and a punch card is available for a modest cost 

so I have made an appointment and will see if it is something that I would enjoy.

A bunch of former alumni got together for a reunion at the home of one of the teachers.

There was a great turn out and it was lovely seeing so many of the staff.

We all worked together at a local community school and it had been quite a few years since we had everyone gathered together.

So much history, so many shared experiences and oodles of memories.

The animated chatter and laughter filled the afternoon to the brim.

XO

How was your weekend?

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~